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FAR/AIM: Appendices

Appendices


 

Appendix 1. Bird/Other Wildlife Strike Report

A picture of FAA Form 5200-7 which pilots use to report bird strikes and other wildlife strikes.

A picture of the business reply mail to use to send in the Bird/Other Wildlife Strike Report.

FOLD AND TAPE HERE

 

Appendix 2. Volcanic Activity Reporting Form (VAR)

VOLCANIC ACTIVITY REPORT

Air-reports are critically important in assessing the hazards which volcanic ash cloud presents to aircraft operations.

A picture of the Volcanic Activity Reporting Form (VAR).

Date: 07/19/2010

 

Appendix 3. Abbreviations/Acronyms

As used in this manual, the following abbreviations/acronyms have the meanings indicated.

Abbreviation/Acronym

Meaning

AAWU

Alaskan Aviation Weather Unit

AAS

Airport Advisory Service

AAM

Advanced Air Mobility

AC

Advisory Circular

ACAR

Aircraft Communications Addressing and Reporting System

ADCUS

Advise Customs

ADDS

Aviation Digital Data Service

ADF

Automatic Direction Finder

ADIZ

Air Defense Identification Zone

ADS-B

Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast

AFB

Air Force Base

AFCS

Automatic Flight Control System

AFIS

Automatic Flight Information Service

AFM

Aircraft Flight Manual

AGL

Above Ground Level

AHRS

Attitude Heading Reference System

AIM

Aeronautical Information Manual

AIRMET

Airmen's Meteorological Information

AIS

Aeronautical Information Services

ALD

Available Landing Distance

ALDARS

Automated Lightning Detection and Reporting System

ALS

Approach Light Systems

AMSL

Above Mean Sea Level

ANP

Actual Navigation Performance

AOCC

Airline Operations Control Center

AP

Autopilot System

APV

Approach with Vertical Guidance

AR

Authorization Required

ARENA

Areas Noted for Attention

ARFF IC

Aircraft Rescue and Fire Fighting Incident Commander

ARINC

Aeronautical Radio Incorporated

ARO

Airport Reservations Office

ARSA

Airport Radar Service Area

ARSR

Air Route Surveillance Radar

ARTCC

Air Route Traffic Control Center

ARTS

Automated Radar Terminal System

ASDE-X

Airport Surface Detection Equipment - Model X

ASOS

Automated Surface Observing System

ASR

Airport Surveillance Radar

ASRS

Aviation Safety Reporting System

ASSC

Airport Surface Surveillance Capability

ATC

Air Traffic Control

ATCRBS

Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System

ATCSCC

Air Traffic Control System Command Center

ATCT

Airport Traffic Control Tower

ATD

Along-Track Distance

ATIS

Automatic Terminal Information Service

ATO

Air Traffic Organization

ATT

Attitude Retention System

AWC

Aviation Weather Center

AWOS

Automated Weather Observing System

AWTT

Aviation Weather Technology Transfer

AWW

Severe Weather Forecast Alert

BAASS

Bigelow Aerospace Advanced Space Studies

BBS

Bulletin Board System

BC

Back Course

BECMG

Becoming group

BVLOS

Beyond Visual Line of Sight

C/A

Coarse Acquisition

CARTS

Common Automated Radar Terminal System (ARTS) (to include ARTS IIIE and ARTS IIE)

CAT

Clear Air Turbulence

CBO

Community-Based Organization

CD

Controller Display

CDI

Course Deviation Indicator

CDR

Coded Departure Route

CERAP

Combined Center/RAPCON

CFA

Controlled Firing Area

CFIT

Controlled Flight into Terrain

CFR

Code of Federal Regulations

COA

Certificate of Waiver or Authorization

CPDLC

Controller Pilot Data Link Communications

CTAF

Common Traffic Advisory Frequency

CVFP

Charted Visual Flight Procedure

CVRS

Computerized Voice Reservation System

CWA

Center Weather Advisory

CWSU

Center Weather Service Unit

DA

Decision Altitude

DCA

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

DCP

Data Collection Package

DER

Departure End of Runway

DH

Decision Height

DME

Distance Measuring Equipment

DME/N

Standard DME

DME/P

Precision DME

DoD

Department of Defense

DP

Instrument Departure Procedure

DPU

Data Processor Unit

DRT

Diversion Recovery Tool

DRVSM

Domestic Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum

DVA

Diverse Vector Area

DVFR

Defense Visual Flight Rules

DVRSN

Diversion

EDCT

Expect Departure Clearance Time

EFAS

En Route Flight Advisory Service

EFV

Enhanced Flight Visibility

EFVS

Enhanced Flight Vision System

ELT

Emergency Locator Transmitter

EMAS

Engineered Materials Arresting System

EPE

Estimate of Position Error

ESV

Expanded Service Volume

ETA

Estimated Time of Arrival

ETD

Estimated Time of Departure

ETE

Estimated Time En Route

EWINS

Enhanced Weather Information System

EWR

Newark International Airport

FA

Area Forecast

FAA

Federal Aviation Administration

FAF

Final Approach Fix

FAWP

Final Approach Waypoint

FB

Fly-by

FCC

Federal Communications Commission

FD

Flight Director System

FDC

Flight Data Center

FDE

Fault Detection and Exclusion

FIR

Flight Information Region

FIS

Flight Information Service

FISDL

Flight Information Services Data Link

FLIP

Flight Information Publication

FMS

Flight Management System

FO

Fly-over

FPA

Flight Path Angle

FPV

Flight Path Vector

FPNM

Feet Per Nautical Mile

FRIA

FAA-Recognized Identification Area

FSDO

Flight Standards District Office

FSS

Flight Service Station

GBAS

Ground Based Augmentation System

GEO

Geostationary Satellite

GLS

GBAS Landing System

GNSS

Global Navigation Satellite System

GNSSP

Global Navigation Satellite System Panel

GPS

Global Positioning System

GRI

Group Repetition Interval

GSD

Geographical Situation Display

GUS

Ground Uplink Station

HAT

Height Above Touchdown

HAZMAT

Hazardous Material

HDTA

High Density Traffic Airports

HEMS

Helicopter Emergency Medical Services

HIRL

High Intensity Runway Lights

HRR

Helicopter Rapid Refueling Procedures

HUD

Head-Up Display

Hz

Hertz

IAF

Initial Approach Fix

IAP

Instrument Approach Procedure

IAS

Indicated Air Speed

IAWP

Initial Approach Waypoint

ICAO

International Civil Aviation Organization

IF

Intermediate Fix

IFR

Instrument Flight Rules

ILS

Instrument Landing System

ILS/PRM

Instrument Landing System/Precision Runway Monitor

IM

Inner Marker

IMC

Instrument Meteorological Conditions

InFO

Information For Operators

INS

Inertial Navigation System

IOC

Initial Operational Capability

IR

IFR Military Training Route

IRU

Inertial Reference Unit

ITWS

Integrated Terminal Weather System

JFK

John F. Kennedy International Airport

kHz

Kilohertz

LAA

Local Airport Advisory

LAANC

Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability

LAAS

Local Area Augmentation System

LAHSO

Land and Hold Short Operations

LAWRS

Limited Aviation Weather Reporting Station

LDA

Localizer Type Directional Aid

LDA/PRM

Localizer Type Directional Aid/Precision Runway Monitor

LGA

LaGuardia Airport

LIRL

Low Intensity Runway Lights

LLWAS

Low Level Wind Shear Alert System

LLWAS NE

Low Level Wind Shear Alert System Network Expansion

LLWAS-RS

Low Level Wind Shear Alert System Relocation/Sustainment

LNAV

Lateral Navigation

LOC

Localizer

LOP

Line-of-position

LORAN

Long Range Navigation System

LP

Localizer Performance

LPV

Localizer Performance with Vertical Guidance

LUAW

Line Up and Wait

LZ

Landing Zone

MAHWP

Missed Approach Holding Waypoint

MAP

Missed Approach Point

MAWP

Missed Approach Waypoint

MDA

Minimum Descent Altitude

MEA

Minimum En Route Altitude

MEARTS

Micro En Route Automated Radar Tracking System

METAR

Aviation Routine Weather Report

MGOW

Maximum Gross Operating Weight

MHz

Megahertz

MIRL

Medium Intensity Runway Lights

MM

Middle Marker

MOA

Military Operations Area

MOCA

Minimum Obstruction Clearance Altitude

MRA

Minimum Reception Altitude

MRB

Magnetic Reference Bearing

MSA

Minimum Safe Altitude

MSAW

Minimum Safe Altitude Warning

MSL

Mean Sea Level

MTI

Moving Target Indicator

MTOS

Mountain Obscuration

MTR

Military Training Route

MVA

Minimum Vectoring Altitude

MWA

Mountain Wave Activity

MWO

Meteorological Watch Office

NAS

National Airspace System

NASA

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

NAVAID

Navigational Aid

NAVCEN

Coast Guard Navigation Center

NCWF

National Convective Weather Forecast

NDB

Nondirectional Radio Beacon

NEXRAD

Next Generation Weather Radar

NGA

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency

NM

Nautical Mile

NMAC

Near Midair Collision

NOAA

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

NOPAC

North Pacific

NoPT

No Procedure Turn Required

NOTAM

Notice to Airmen

NPA

Nonprecision Approach

NRS

Navigation Reference System

NSA

National Security Area

NSW

No Significant Weather

NTSB

National Transportation Safety Board

NTZ

No Transgression Zone

NWS

National Weather Service

OAT

Outside Air Temperature

OBS

Omni-bearing Selector

ODP

Obstacle Departure Procedure

OIS

Operational Information System

OIS

Obstacle Identification Surface

OM

Outer Marker

OOP

Operations Over People

ORD

Chicago O'Hare International Airport

P/CG

Pilot/Controller Glossary

PA

Precision Approach

PAO

Public Aircraft Operation

PAPI

Precision Approach Path Indicator

PAR

Precision Approach Radar

PAR

Preferred Arrival Route

PC

Personal Computer

PDC

Pre-departure Clearance

PFD

Personal Flotation Device

PIC

Pilot-in-Command

PinS

Point-in-Space

PIREP

Pilot Weather Report

POB

Persons on Board

POFZ

Precision Obstacle Free Zone

POI

Principal Operations Inspector

PPS

Precise Positioning Service

PRM

Precision Runway Monitor

PT

Procedure Turn

QICP

Qualified Internet Communications Provider

RA

Resolution Advisory

RAA

Remote Advisory Airport

RAIM

Receiver Autonomous Integrity Monitoring

RAIS

Remote Airport Information Service

RBDT

Ribbon Display Terminals

RC

Radio-Controlled

RCAG

Remote Center Air/Ground

RCC

Rescue Coordination Center

RCLS

Runway Centerline Lighting System

RCO

Remote Communications Outlet

RID

Remote Identification

RPIC

Remote Pilot-in-Command

RD

Rotor Diameter

REIL

Runway End Identifier Lights

REL

Runway Entrance Lights

RFM

Rotorcraft Flight Manual

RLIM

Runway Light Intensity Monitor

RMI

Radio Magnetic Indicator

RNAV

Area Navigation

RNP

Required Navigation Performance

ROC

Required Obstacle Clearance

RPAT

RNP Parallel Approach Runway Transitions

RVR

Runway Visual Range

RVSM

Reduced Vertical Separation Minimum

RWSL

Runway Status Light

SAA

Sense and Avoid

SAFO

Safety Alerts For Operators

SAM

System Area Monitor

SAR

Search and Rescue

SAS

Stability Augmentation System

SATR

Special Air Traffic Rules

SBAS

Satellite-based Augmentation System

SDF

Simplified Directional Facility

SFL

Sequenced Flashing Lights

SFR

Special Flight Rules

SFRA

Special Flight Rules Area

SGI

Special Government Interest

SIAP

Standard Instrument Approach Procedure

SID

Standard Instrument Departure

SIGMET

Significant Meteorological Information

SM

Statute Mile

SMGCS

Surface Movement Guidance Control System

SNR

Signal-to-noise Ratio

SOIA

Simultaneous Offset Instrument Approaches

SOP

Standard Operating Procedure

SPC

Storm Prediction Center

SPS

Standard Positioning Service

STAR

Standard Terminal Arrival

STARS

Standard Terminal Automation Replacement System

STMP

Special Traffic Management Program

sUAS

Small UAS

TA

Traffic Advisory

TAA

Terminal Arrival Area

TAC

Terminal Area Chart

TACAN

Tactical Air Navigation

TAF

Aerodrome Forecast

TAS

True Air Speed

TCAS

Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance System

TCH

Threshold Crossing Height

TD

Time Difference

TDLS

Tower Data Link System

TDWR

Terminal Doppler Weather Radar

TDZ

Touchdown Zone

TDZE

Touchdown Zone Elevation

TDZL

Touchdown Zone Lights

TEC

Tower En Route Control

THL

Takeoff Hold Lights

TIS

Traffic Information Service

TIS-B

Traffic Information Service-Broadcast

TLS

Transponder Landing System

TPP

Terminal Procedures Publications

TRSA

Terminal Radar Service Area

TRUST

The Recreational UAS Safety Test

TSO

Technical Standard Order

TWIB

Terminal Weather Information for Pilots System

U.S.

United States

UA

Unmanned Aircraft

UAM

Urban Air Mobility

UAS

Unmanned Aircraft System

UASFM

UAS Facility Map

UAV

Unmanned Aerial Vehicle

UFO

Unidentified Flying Object

UHF

Ultrahigh Frequency

USCG

United States Coast Guard

UTC

Coordinated Universal Time

UTM

UAS Traffic Management

UWS

Urgent Weather SIGMET

UWS

Urgent Weather SIGMET

VAR

Volcanic Activity Reporting

VASI

Visual Approach Slope Indicator

VCOA

Visual Climb Over the Airport

VDA

Vertical Descent Angle

VDP

Visual Descent Point

VFR

Visual Flight Rules

VGSI

Visual Glide Slope Indicator

VHF

Very High Frequency

VIP

Video Integrator Processor

VLOS

Visual Line of Sight

VMC

Visual Meteorological Conditions

VMINI

Instrument flight minimum speed, utilized in complying with minimum limit speed requirements for instrument flight

VNAV

Vertical Navigation

VNE

Never exceed speed

VNEI

Instrument flight never exceed speed, utilized instead of VNE for compliance with maximum limit speed requirements for instrument flight

VO

Visual Observer

VOR

Very High Frequency Omni-directional Range

VORTAC

VHF Omni-directional Range/Tactical Air Navigation

VOT

VOR Test Facility

VR

VFR Military Training Route

VREF

The reference landing approach speed, usually about 1.3 times Vso plus 50 percent of the wind gust speed in excess of the mean wind speed.

VSO

The stalling speed or the minimum steady flight speed in the landing configuration at maximum weight.

VTF

Vector to Final

VV

Vertical Visibility

VVI

Vertical Velocity Indicator

VY

Speed for best rate of climb

VYI

Instrument climb speed, utilized instead of VY for compliance with the climb requirements for instrument flight

WA

AIRMET

WAAS

Wide Area Augmentation System

WFO

Weather Forecast Office

WGS-84

World Geodetic System of 1984

WMO

World Meteorological Organization

WMS

Wide-Area Master Station

WMSC

Weather Message Switching Center

WMSCR

Weather Message Switching Center Replacement

WP

Waypoint

WRA

Weather Reconnaissance Area

WRS

Wide-Area Ground Reference Station

WS

SIGMET

WSO

Weather Service Office

WSP

Weather Systems Processor

WST

Convective Significant Meteorological Information

WW

Severe Weather Watch Bulletin

 

Appendix 4. FAA Form 7233-4 - International Flight Plan

a. The FAA will accept a flight plan in international format for IFR, VFR, SFRA, and DVFR flights. File the flight plan electronically via a Flight Service Station (FSS), FAA contracted flight plan filing service, or other commercial flight plan filing service. Depending on the filing service chosen, the method of entering data may be different but the information required is generally the same.

b. The international flight plan format is mandatory for:

1. Any flight plan filed through a FSS or FAA contracted flight plan filing service; with the exception of Department of Defense flight plans and civilian stereo route flight plans, which can still be filed using the format prescribed in FAA Form 7233-1.

NOTE-
DoD Form DD-175 and FAA Form 7233-1 are considered to follow the same format.

2. Any flight that will depart U.S. domestic airspace. For DoD flight plan purposes, offshore Warning Areas may use FAA Form 7233-1 or military equivalent.

3. Any flight requesting routing that requires Performance Based Navigation.

4. Any flight requesting services that require filing of capabilities only supported in the international flight plan format.

c. Flight Plan Contents

1. A flight plan will include information shown below:

(a) Flight Specific Information (TBL 4-1)

(b) Aircraft Specific Information (TBL 4-19)

(c) Flight Routing Information (TBL 4-20)

(d) Flight Specific Supplementary Information (Item 19)

2. The tables indicate where the information is located in the international flight plan format, the information required for U.S. domestic flights, and the location of equivalent information in the domestic flight plan format.

3. International flights, including those that temporarily leave domestic U.S. airspace and return, require all applicable information in the international flight plan. Additional information can be found in ICAO Doc. 4444 (Procedures for Air Navigation Services, Air Traffic Management), and ICAO Doc. 7030 (Regional Supplemental Procedures) as well as the Aeronautical Information Publications (AIPs), Aeronautical Information Circulars (AICs), and NOTAMs of applicable other countries.

TBL 4-1
Flight Specific Information

Item

International Flight
Plan (FAA Form 7233-4)

Domestic U.S. Requirements

Equivalent Item on Domestic Flight Plan (FAA Form 7233-1)

Aircraft Identification

Item 7

Required

Item 2

Flight Rules

Item 8

Required

Item 1

Type of Flight

Item 8

No need to file for domestic U.S. flight

N/A

Equipment and Capabilities

Item 10
Item 18 PBN/; NAV/; COM/; DAT/; SUR/

Required

Item 3

Date of Flight

Item 18 DOF/

Include when date of flight is not today

N/A

Reasons for Special Handling

Item 18 STS/; RMK/

Include when special category is applicable

Item 11

Remarks

Item 18 RMK/

Include when necessary

Item 11

Operator

Item 18 OPR/

No need to file for domestic U.S. flight

N/A

Flight Plan Originator

Item 18 ORGN/

No need to file for domestic U.S. flight

N/A

d. Instructions for Flight-Specific Information Items

1. Aircraft Identification (Item 7) Aircraft Identification is always required. Aircraft identification must not exceed seven alphanumeric characters and be either:

(a) The ICAO designator for the aircraft operating agency, followed by the flight identification (for example, KLM511, NGA213, JTR25). When in radiotelephony the call sign to be used by the aircraft will consist of the ICAO telephony designator for the operating agency followed by the flight identification (for example, KLM511, NIGERIA213, JESTER25);

(b) The nationality or common mark and registration of the aircraft (for example, EIAKO, 4XBCD, N2567GA), when:

(1) In radiotelephony, the call sign to be used by the aircraft will consist of this identification alone (for example, CGAJS) or preceded by the ICAO telephony designator for the aircraft operating agency (for example, BLIZZARD CGAJS); or

(2) The aircraft is not equipped with radio.

NOTE-
1. Standards for nationality, common and registration marks to be used are contained in Annex 7, Chapter 2.

2. Provisions for using radiotelephony call signs are contained in Annex 10, Volume II, Chapter 5. ICAO designators and telephony designators for aircraft operating agencies are contained in Doc 8585—Designators for Aircraft Operating Agencies, Aeronautical Authorities and Services.

NOTE-
Some countries' aircraft identifications begin with a number, which cannot be processed by U.S. ATC automation. The FAA will add a leading letter temporarily to gain automation acceptance for aircraft identifications that begin with a numeral. For flight-processing systems (e.g., ERAM or STARS) which will not accept a call sign that begins with a number, if the call sign is 6 characters or less, add a Q at the beginning of the call sign. If the call sign is 7 characters, delete the first character and replace it with a Q. Put the original call sign in the remarks section of the flight plan.

EXAMPLE-
9HRA becomes Q9HRA
5744233 becomes Q744233

2. Flight Rules (Item 8a)

(a) Flight rules are always required.

(b) Flight rules must indicate IFR (I) or VFR (V).

(c) For composite flight plans, submit separate flight plans for the IFR and VFR portions of the flight. Specify in Item 15 the point or points where change of flight rules is planned. The IFR plan will be routed to ATC, and the VFR plan will be routed to a Flight Service for Search and Rescue services.

NOTE-
The pilot is responsible for opening and closing the VFR flight plan. ATC does not have knowledge of a VFR flight plan's status.

3. Type of Flight (Item 8b)

(a) The type of flight is optional for flights remaining wholly within U.S. domestic airspace.

(b) Indicate the type of flight as follows:

• G - General Aviation

• S - Scheduled Air Service

• N - Non-Scheduled Air Transport Operation

• M - Military

• X - other than any of the defined categories above

4. Equipment and Capabilities (Item 10, Item 18 NAV/, COM/, DAT/, SUR/)

(a) Equipment and capabilities that can be filed in a flight plan include:

• Navigation capabilities in Item 10a, Item 18 PBN/, and Item 18 NAV/

• Voice communication capabilities in Item 10a and Item 18 COM/

• Data communication capabilities in Item 10a and Item 18 DAT/

• Approach capabilities in Item 10a and Item 18 NAV/

• Surveillance capabilities in Item 10b and Item 18 SUR/

(b) Codes allowed in Item 10a are shown in Table 4-2. Codes allowed in Item 10b are shown in TBL 4-3. Codes recognized in Item 18 NAV/, COM/, DAT/, and SUR/ are shown in TBL 4-4. Note that other service providers may define additional allowable (and required) codes for use in Item 18 NAV/, COM/, DAT/, or SUR/. Codes to designate PBN capability are described in TBL 4-5.

Radio communication, navigation and approach aid equipment and capabilities

ENTER one letter as follows:

N if no COM/NAV/approach aid equipment for the route to be flown is carried, or the equipment is unserviceable,

OR

S if standard COM/NAV/approach aid equipment for the route to be flown is carried and serviceable (see Note 1),

AND/OR

ENTER one or more of the following letters from TBL 4-2 to indicate the serviceable COM/NAV/ approach aid equipment and capabilities available.

TBL 4-2
Item 10a Navigation, Communication, and Approach Aid Capabilities

A graphic depicting a Blank FAA FORM 7233−4, INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT PLAN.

Any alphanumeric characters not indicated above are reserved.

NOTE-
1. If the letter “S” is used, standard equipment is considered to be VHF RTF, VOR, and ILS, unless another combination is prescribed by the appropriate ATS authority.

2. If the letter “G” is used, the types of external GNSS augmentation, if any, are specified in Item 18 following the indicator NAV/ and separated by a space.

EXAMPLE-
NAV/SBAS

3. See RTCA/EUROCAE Interoperability Requirements Standard for ATN Baseline 1 (ATN B1 INTEROP Standard - DO -280B/ED-110B) for data link services air traffic control clearance and information/air traffic control communications management/air traffic control microphone check.

4. If the letter “R” is used, the performance-based navigation levels that can be met are specific in Item 18 following the indicator PBN/. Guidance material on the application of performance-based navigation to a specific route segment, route, or area is contained in the Performance-based Navigation (PBN) Manual (Doc 9613)

5. If the letter “Z” is used, specify in Item 18 the other equipment carried or other capabilities, preceded by COM/, NAV/, and/or DAT, as appropriate.

6. Information on navigation capability is provided to ATC for clearance and routing purposes.

7. Guidance on the application of performance-based communication, which prescribes RCP to an air traffic service in a specific area, is contained in the Performance-based Communication and Surveillance (PBCS) Manual (Doc 9869).

TBL 4-3
Item 10b Surveillance Capabilities

ENTER “N” if no surveillance equipment for the route to be flown is carried, or the equipment is unserviceable,

or

ENTER One or more of the following descriptors, to a maximum of 20 characters, to describe the serviceable surveillance equipment and/or capabilities on board.

 

ENTER no more than one transponder code (Modes A, C, or S)

SSR Modes A and C:

A Transponder Mode A (4 digits - 4096 codes)

C Transponder Mode A (4 digits - 4096 codes) and Mode C

SSR Mode S:

E Transponder Mode S, including aircraft identification, pressure-altitude, and extended squitter (ADS-B) capability

H Transponder Mode S, including aircraft identification, pressure-altitude, and enhanced surveillance capability

I Transponder Mode S, including aircraft identification, but no pressure-altitude capability

L Transponder Mode S, including aircraft identification, pressure-altitude, extended squitter (ADS-B), and enhanced surveillance capability

P Transponder Mode S, including pressure-altitude, but no aircraft identification capability

S Transponder Mode S, including both pressure-altitude and aircraft identification capability

X Transponder Mode S, with neither aircraft identification nor pressure-altitude

NOTE-
Enhanced surveillance capability is the ability of the aircraft to down-link aircraft derived data via Mode S transponder.

ADS-B:

B1 ADS-B with dedicated 1090 MHz ADS-B “out” capability

B2 ADS-B with dedicated 1090 MHz ADS-B “out” and “in” capability

U1 ADS-B with “out” capability using UAT

U2 ADS-B with “out” and “in” capability using UAT

V1 ADS-B with “out” capability using VDL Mode 4

V2 ADS-B with “out” and “in” capability using VDL Mode 4

NOTE-
File no more than one code for each type of capability, e.g., file B1 or B2 and not both

ADS-C:

D1 ADS-C with FANS 1/A capabilities

G1 ADS-C with ATN capabilities

Alphanumeric characters not included above are reserved.

EXAMPLE-
ADE3RV/HB2U2V2G1

NOTE-
1. The RSP specification(s), if applicable, will be listed in Item 18 following the indicator SUR/, using the characters “RSP” followed by the specifications value. Currently RSP180 and RSP400 are in use.

2. List additional surveillance equipment or capabilities in Item 18 following the indicator SUR/.

TBL 4-4
Item 18 NAV/, COM/, DAT/, and SUR/ capabilities used by FAA

Item

Purpose

Entry

Explanation

NAV/ entries used by FAA

Radius to Fix (RF) capability

Z1

RNP-capable flight is authorized for Radius to Fix operations.

Fixed Radius Transitions (FRT)

Z2

RNP-capable flight is authorized for Fixed Radius Transitions.

Time of Arrival Control (TOAC)

Z5

RNP-capable flight is authorized for Time of Arrival Control.

Advanced RNP (A-RNP)

P1

Flight is authorized for A-RNP operations.

Helicopter RNP 0.3

R1

Flight is authorized for RNP 0.3 operations (pertains to helicopters only).

RNP 2 Continental

M1

Flight is authorized for RNP 2 continental operations.

RNP 2 Oceanic/Remote

M2

Flight is authorized for RNP 2 oceanic/remote operations.

COM/ entries used by FAA

N/A

N/A

The FAA currently does not use any entries in COM/.

DAT/ entries used by FAA

Capability and preference for delivery of pre-departure clearance

Priority number followed by:
 • FANS
 • FANSP
 • PDC
 • VOICE

Entries are combined with a priority number, for example; 1FANS2PDC means a preference for departure clearance delivered via FANS 1/A; with capability to also receive the clearance via ACARS PDC.
FANS = FANS 1/A DCL
FANSP = FANS 1/A+ DCL
PDC = ACARS PDC
VOICE = PDC via voice (no automated delivery)

SUR/ entries used by FAA

Req. Surveillance Performance

RSP180

Aircraft is authorized for Required Surveillance Performance RSP180

RSP400

Aircraft is authorized for Required Surveillance Performance RSP400

ADS-B

A2

Aircraft has 1090 MHz Extended Squitter ADS-B compliant with RTCA DO-260B (complies with FAA requirements)

A2

Aircraft has 978 MHz UAT ADS-B compliant with RTCA DO-282B (complies with FAA requirements)

NOTE-
1. Other entries in NAV/, COM/, DAT/, and SUR/ are permitted for international flights when instructed by other service providers. Direction on use of these capabilities by the FAA is detailed in the following sections.

2. In NAV/, descriptors for advanced capabilities (Z1, P1, R1, M1, and M2) should be entered as a single character string with no intervening spaces, and separated from any other entries in NAV/ by a space.

EXAMPLE-
NAV/Z1P1M2 SBAS

TBL 4-5
Item 18. PBN/ Specifications
(Include as many of the applicable descriptors, up to a maximum of 8 entries (not more than 16 characters).

PBN/

RNAV SPECIFICATIONS

A1

RNAV 10 (RNP 10)

B1

RNAV 5 all permitted sensors

B2

RNAV 5 GNSS

B3

RNAV 5 DME/DME

B4

RNAV 5 VOR/DME

B5

RNAV 5 INS or IRS

B6

RNAV 5 LORAN C

C1

RNAV 2 all permitted sensors

C2

RNAV 2 GNSS

C3

RNAV 2 DME/DME

C4

RNAV 2 DME/DME/IRU

D1

RNAV 1 all permitted sensors

D2

RNAV 1 GNSS

D3

RNAV 1 DME/DME

D4

RNAV 1 DME/DME/IRU

PBN/

RNP SPECIFICATIONS

L1

RNP 4

O1

Basic RNP 1 all permitted sensors

O2

Basic RNP 1 GNSS

O3

Basic RNP 1 DME/DME

O4

Basic RNP 1 DME/DME/IRU

S1

RNP APCH

S2

RNP APCH with BARO-VNAV

T1

RNP AR APCH with RF (special authorization required)

T2

RNP AR APCH without RF (special authorization required)

NOTE-
1. PBN Codes B1-B6 indicates RNAV 5 capability. The FAA considers these B codes to be synonymous and qualifying for point-to-point routing but not for assignment to the PBN routes shown in the table.

2. Combinations of alphanumeric characters not included above are reserved.

3. The PBN/ specifications are allowed per ICAO Doc. 4444. The FAA makes use of a subset of these codes as described in the section on filing navigation capability.

(c) The following sections detail what capabilities need to be provided to obtain services from the FAA for:

• IFR flights (general).

• Assignment of Performance-Based Navigation (PBN) routes.

• Automated Departure clearance (via Datacom DCL or PDC).

• Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (if requesting FL 290 or above).

• Reduced Separation in Oceanic Airspace.

(d) Capabilities such as voice communications, required communications performance, approach aids, and ADS-C, are not required in a flight plan that remains entirely within domestic airspace.

(e) Flights that leave domestic United States airspace may be required to include additional capabilities, per requirements for the FIRs being overflown. Consult the appropriate State Aeronautical Information Publications for requirements.

(f) Include the capability only if:

• The requisite equipment is installed and operational;

• The crew is trained as required; and

• Any required Operations Specification, Letter of Authorization, or other approvals are in hand.

NOTE-
Do not include a capability solely based on the installed equipment if an operational approval is required. For example, all U.S. civil operators require either Operations Specification, Management Specification, or Letter of Authorization B036, as applicable, in order to include NAV/M2 (RNP 2 (oceanic/remote)), PBN/A1 (RNAV 10 (RNP 10)), or PBN/L1 (RNP 4) in Item 18.

5. Filing equipment and capability in an IFR Flight Plan. This section details the minimum requirements to identify capabilities in an IFR flight plan for flights in the domestic United States. Other requirements to file a capability are associated with obtaining specific services as described in subsequent sections. The basic capabilities that must be addressed include Navigation, Transponder, Voice, and ADS-B Out as described below. A designator for “Standard” capability is also allowed to cover a suite of commonly carried voice, navigation, and approach equipment with one code.

(a) Standard Capability and No Capability (Item 10a)

• Use “S” if VHF radio, VOR, and ILS equipment for the route to be flown are carried and serviceable. Use of the 'S' removes the need to list these three capabilities separately.

• Use “N” if no communications, navigation, or approach aid equipment for the route to be flown are carried or the equipment is unserviceable.

• When there is no transponder, ADS-B, or ADS-C capability then file only the letter 'N' in Item 10b.

(b) Navigation Capabilities (Item 10a, Item 18 NAV/)

• Indicate radio navigation capability by filing one or more of the codes in TBL 4-6.

• Indicate Area Navigation (RNAV) capability by filing one or more of the codes in TBL 4-7.

TBL 4-6
Radio Navigation Capabilities

Capability

Item 10a

Item 18 NAV/

VOR

O

 

DME

D

 

TACAN

T

 

TBL 4-7
Area Navigation Capabilities

Capability

Item 10a

Item 18 NAV/

GNSS

G

SBAS (if WAAS equipped)
GBAS (if LAAS equipped)

INS

I

 

DME / DME

DR

 

VOR / DME

DOR

 

NOTE-
1. SBAS - Space-Based Augmentation System
GBAS - Ground-Based Augmentation System

2. No PBN/ code needs to be filed to indicate the ability to fly point-to-point routes using GNSS or INS.

3. Filing one of these four area navigation capabilities as shown does not indicate performance based navigation sufficient for flying Q-Routes, T-Routes, or RNAV SIDs or STARs. To qualify for these routes, see the section on Performance Based Navigation Routes.

(c) Transponder Capabilities (Item 10b)

• For domestic flights, it is not necessary to indicate Mode S capability. It is acceptable to simply file one of the following codes in TBL 4-8.

TBL 4-8
Mode C

Capability

Item 10b

Transponder with no Mode C

A

Transponder with Mode C

C

• International flights must file in accordance with relevant AIPs and regional supplements. Include one of the Mode S codes in TBL 4-9, if appropriate.

NOTE-
File only one transponder code.

TBL 4-9
Mode S

Capability

Aircraft ID

Altitude Encoding

Item 10b

Mode S Transponder

No

No

X

Mode S Transponder

No

Yes

P

Mode S Transponder

Yes

No

I

Mode S Transponder

Yes

Yes

S

Mode S Transponder with Extended Squitter

Yes

Yes

E

Enhanced Mode S Transponder

Yes

Yes

H

Enhanced Mode S Transponder with Extended Squitter

Yes

Yes

L

(d) ADS-B Capabilities (Item 10b, Item 18 SUR/ and Item 18 CODE/)

• Indicate ADS-B capability as shown in TBL 4-10. The accompanying entry in Item 18 indicates that the equipment is compliant with 14 CFR §91.227. Some ADS-B equipment used in other countries is based on an earlier standard and does not meet U.S. requirements.

• Do not file an ADS-B code for “in” capability only. There is currently no way to indicate that an aircraft has “in” capability but no “out” capability.

• For aircraft with ADS-B “out” on one frequency and “in” on another, include only the ADS-B “out” code. For example, B1 or U1, (See TBL 4-10).

TBL 4-10
ADS-B Capabilities

Capability

Item 10b

Item 18 SUR/

1090 ES Out Capability

B1

A2

1090 ES Out and In Capability

B2

A2

UAT Out Capability

U1

A2

UAT Out and In Capability

U2

A2

(e) Voice Communication Capabilities (Item 10a)

The FAA does not require indication of voice communication capabilities in a flight plan for domestic flights, but it is permissible. For flights outside the domestic United States, all relevant capabilities must be indicated as follows (See TBL 4-11):

TBL 4-11
Voice Communication Capabilities

Capability

Item 10a

VHF Radio

V

UHF Radio

U

HF Radio

H

VHF Radio (8.33 kHZ Spacing)

Y

ATC SATVOICE (INMARSAT)

M1

ATC SATVOICE (Iridium)

M3

(f) Approach Aid Capabilities (Item 10a).

The FAA does not require filing of approach aid capability in order to request a specific type of approach, however any of the codes indicated in TBL 4-12 in 10a are permissible.

• International flights may be required to indicate approach capability, based on instructions from relevant service providers.

TBL 4-12
Approach Aid Capabilities

Capability

Item 10a

ILS

L

MLS

K

LPV Approach (APV with SBAS) (WAAS)

B

GBAS Landing System (LAAS)

A

6. Performance-Based Navigation Routes (Item 10a, Item 18 PBN/, Item 18 NAV/)- When planning to fly routes that require PBN capability, file the appropriate capability as shown in TBL 4-13.

TBL 4-13
Filing for Performance Based Navigation (PBN) Routes

Type of Routing

Capability Required

Item 10a

Item 18 PBN/

See NOTE 2

Item 18 NAV/

See NOTE 3

Notes

RNAV SID or STAR (See NOTE 1)

RNAV 1

GR

D2

 

If GNSS

DIR

D4

 

If DME/DME/IRU

RNP SID or STAR (See NOTE 2)

RNP 1
GNSS

GR

O2

 

If GNSS only

RNP 1
GNSS

DGIR

O1

 

If GNSS primary and DME/DME/IRU backup

RNP SID or STAR with RF required (See NOTE 2)

RNP 1
GNSS

GRZ

O2

Z1

If GNSS only

RNP 1
GNSS

DGIRZ

O1

Z1

If GNSS primary and DME/DME/IRU backup

Domestic Q-Route (see separate requirements for Gulf of Mexico Q-Routes)

RNAV 2

GR

C2

 

If GNSS

DIR

C4

 

If DME/DME/IRU

T-Route

RNAV 2

GR

C2

 

GNSS is required for T-Routes

RNAV (GPS) Approach

RNP Approach, GPS

GR

S1

 

Domestic arrivals do not need to file PBN approach capabilities to request the approach.

RNAV (GPS) Approach

RNP Approach, GPS Baro-VNAV

GR

S2

 

RNAV (GPS) Approach with RF required

RNP Approach, GPS
RF Capability

GRZ

S2

Z1

RNP AR Approach with RF

RNP (Special Authorization Required) RF Leg Capability

GR

T1

 

RNP AR Approach without RF

RNP (Special Authorization Required)

GR

T2

 

NOTE-
1. If the flight is requesting an RNAV SID only (no RNAV STAR) or RNAV STAR only (no RNAV SID) then consult guidance on the FAA website at
https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ato/service_units/air_traffic_services/flight_plan_filing.

2. PBN descriptor D1 includes the capabilities of D2, D3, and D4. PBN descriptor B1 includes the capabilities of B2, B3, B4, and B5. PBN descriptor C1 includes the capabilities of C2, C3, and C4.

3. In NAV/, descriptors for advanced capabilities (Z1, P1, R1, M1, and M2) should be entered as a single character string with no intervening spaces, and separated from any other entries in NAV/ by a space.

EXAMPLE-
NAV/Z1P1M2 SBAS

7. Automated Departure Clearance Delivery (DCL or PDC). When planning to use automated pre-departure clearance delivery capability, file as indicated below.

(a) PDC provides pre-departure clearances from the FAA to the operator's designated flight operations center, which then delivers the clearance to the pilot by various means. Use of PDC does not require any special flight plan entry.

(b) DCL provides pre-departure clearances from the FAA directly to the cockpit/FMS via Controller Pilot Datalink Communications (CPDLC). Use of DCL requires flight plan entries as follows:

• Include CPDLC codes in Item 10a only if the flight is capable of en route/oceanic CPDLC, the codes are not required for DCL.

• Include Z in Item 10a to indicate there is information provided in Item 18 DAT/.

• Include the clearance delivery methods of which the flight is capable, and order of preference in Item 18 DAT/. (See AIM 5-2-2)

○ VOICE - deliver clearance via Voice

○ PDC - deliver clearance via PDC

○ FANS - deliver clearance via FANS 1/A

○ FANSP - deliver clearance via FANS 1/A+

EXAMPLE-
DAT/1FANS2PDC
DAT/1FANSP2VOICE

8. Operating in Reduced Vertical Separation Minima (RVSM) Airspace (Item 10a). When planning to fly in RVSM airspace (FL 290 up to and including FL 410) then file as indicated below.

(a) If capable and approved for RVSM operations, per AIM 4-6-1, Applicability and RVSM Mandate (Date/Time and Area), file a W in Item 10a. Include the aircraft registration mark in Item 18 REG/, which is used to post-operationally monitor the safety of RVSM operations.

• Do not file a “W” in Item 10a if the aircraft is capable of RVSM operations, but is not approved to operate in RVSM airspace.

• If RVSM capability is lost after the flight plan is filed, request that ATC remove the 'W' from Item 10a.

(b) When requesting to operate non-RVSM in RVSM airspace, using one of the exceptions identified in AIM 4-6-10, do not include a “W” in Item 10a. Include STS/NONRVSM in Item 18. STS/NONRVSM is used only as part of a request to operate non-RVSM in RVSM airspace.

9. Eligibility for Reduced Oceanic Separation. Indicate eligibility for the listed reduced separation minima as indicated in the tables below. Full Operational Requirements for these services are found in the U.S. Aeronautical Information Publication (AIP) ENR 7, Oceanic Operations, available at http://www.faa.gov/air_traffic/publications/atpubs/aip_html/index.html.

TBL 4-14
Filing for Gulf of Mexico CTA

Dimension of Separation

Separation Minima

ADS-C Surveillance Requirements

Comm. Requirement

PBN Requirement

 

Flight Plan Entries

ADS-C in Item 10b

CPDLC in Item 10a

PBN in Item 18 PBN/
(also File 'R' in Item 10a)

PBN in Item 18 NAV/

Lateral

50 NM

N/A
(ADS-C not required)

Voice comm-HF or VHF as required to maintain contact over the entire route to be flown.

RNP10
or
RNP4

N/A

N/A

A1 or L1

N/A

NOTE-
If not RNAV10/RNP10 capable and planning to operate in the Gulf of Mexico CTA, then put the notation NONRNP10 in Item 18 RMK/, preferably first.

TBL 4-15
Filing for 50 NM Lateral Separation in Anchorage Arctic FIR

Dimension of Separation

Separation Minima

ADS-C Surveillance Requirements

Comm. Requirement

PBN Requirement

 

Flight Plan Entries

ADS-C in Item 10b

CPDLC in Item 10a

PBN in Item 18 PBN/
(also File 'R' in Item 10a)

PBN in Item 18 NAV/

Lateral

50 NM

N/A
(ADS-C not required)

None beyond normal requirements for the airspace

RNP10

or

RNP4

N/A

N/A

A1 or L1

N/A

TBL 4-16
Filing for 30 NM Lateral, 30 NM Longitudinal, and 50 NM Longitudinal Oceanic Separation
in Anchorage, Oakland, and New York Oceanic CTAs

Dimension of Separation

Separation Minima

ADS-C Surveillance Requirements

Comm. Requirement

PBN Requirement

Flight Plan Entries

ADS-C in Item 10b

CPDLC in Item 10a

PBN in Item 18 PBN/
(also File 'R' in Item 10a)

PBN in Item 18 NAV/

Longitudinal

50 NM

Position report at least every 27 minutes (at least every 32 minutes if both aircraft are approved for RNP-4 operations)

CPDLC

RNP10

D1

J5 and/or J7

A1

N/A

Longitudinal

30 NM

ADS-C position report at least every 10 minutes

CPDLC

RNP4

D1

 

J5 and/or J7

 

L1

N/A

Lateral

30 NM

ADS-C-based lateral deviation event contract with 5NM lateral deviation from planned routing set as threshold for triggering ADS report of lateral deviation event

CPDLC

RNP4

D1

J5 and/or J7

L1

N/A

TBL 4-17
Filing for Reduced Oceanic Separation when RSP/RCP Required on March 29, 2018

Dimension of Separation

Separation Minima

RSP Requirement

RCP Requirement

PBN Requirement

 

Flight Plan Entries

RSP in Item 18 SUR/

RCP in Item 10a

CDPLC in Item10a

PBN in Item 18 PBN/

(also File 'R' in Item 10a)

PBN in Item 18 NAV/

Lateral

55.5 km
30 NM

180

240

RNP 2 or RNP 4

RSP180

P2

J5, and/or
J6, and/or
J7

 

L1

 

Performance-based
Longitudinal

5 Minutes

180

240

RNAV 10 (RNP 10) RNP 4, or RNP 2 oceanic/ remote

RSP180

P2

J5, and/or
J6, and/or
J7

 

A1 or L1

M2

Performance-based
Longitudinal

55.5 km
30 NM

180

240

RNP 4 or RNP 2 oceanic/ remote

RSP180

P2

J5, and/or
J6, and/or
J7

 

L1

M2

Performance-based
Longitudinal

93 km
50 NM

180

240

RNAV 10 (RNP 10) or RNP 4

RSP180

P2

J5, and/or
J6, and/or
J7

 

A1 or L1

 

NOTE-
1. Filing of RNP 2 alone is not supported in FAA controlled airspace; PBN/L1 (for RNP 4) or PBN/A1 (for RNP 10) must be filed to obtain the indicated separation.

2. Use of “RNP2” in NAV/ signifies continental RNP 2 (and means the same as M1). Continental RNP 2 is not adequate for reduced oceanic separation. Descriptor M2 indicates RNP 2 global/oceanic RNP 2 capability.

10. Date of Flight (Item 18 DOF/)

Flights planned more than 23 hours after the time the flight plan is filed, must include the date of flight in DOF/ expressed in a six-digit format YYMMDD, where YY equals the year (Y), MM equals the month, and DD equals the day.

NOTE-
FAA ATC systems will not accept flight plans more than 23 hours prior to their proposed departure time. FAA Flight Service and commercial flight planning services generally accept flight plans earlier and forward to ATC at an appropriate time, typically 2 to 4 hours before the flight.

EXAMPLE-
DOF/171130

11. Reasons for Special Handling (Item 18 STS/)

(a) Indicate the applicable Special Handling in Item 18 STS/ as shown in TBL 4-18.

NOTE-
Priority for a flight is not automatically granted based on filing one of these codes but is based on documented procedures. In some cases, additional information may also be required in remarks; follow all such instructions as well.

TBL 4-18
Special Handling

Special Handling

Item 18 STS/

Flight operating in accordance with an altitude reservation

ALTRV

Flight approved for exemption from ATFM measures by the appropriate ATS authority

ATFMX

Fire Fighting

FFR

Flight check for calibration of NAVAIDS

FLTCK

Flight carrying hazardous material(s)

HAZMAT

Flight with Head of State status

HEAD

Medical flight declared by medical authorities

HOSP

Flight operating on a humanitarian mission

HUM

Flight for which a military entity assumes responsibility for separation of military aircraft

MARSA

Life critical medical emergency evacuation

MEDEVAC

Non-RVSM capable flight intending to operate in RVSM airspace

NONRVSM

Flight engaged in a search and rescue mission

SAR

Flight engaged in military, customs, or police services

STATE

(b) Any other requests for special handling must be made in Item 18 RMK/.

(c) Include plain-language remarks when required by ATC or deemed necessary. Do not use special characters, for example; / * - = +.

EXAMPLE-
RMK/NRP
RMK/DVRSN

12. Remarks

Include when necessary.

13. Operator (Item 18 OPR/)

When the operator is not obvious from the aircraft identification, the operator may be indicated.

EXAMPLE-
OPR/NETJETS

14. Flight Plan Originator (Item 18 ORGN/)

(a) VFR flight plans originating outside of FAA FSS or FAA contracted flight plan filing services must enter the 8-letter AFTN address of the service where the flight plan was originally filed. Alternately, enter the name of the service where the FPL was originally filed. This information is critical to locating the FPL originator in the event additional information is needed.

(b) For IFR flight plans, the original filers AFTN address may be indicated, which is helpful in cases where a flight plan has been forwarded.

EXAMPLE-
ORGN/Acme Flight Plans
ORGN/KDENXLDS

TBL 4-19
Aircraft Specific Information

Item

International Flight Plan
(FAA Form 7233-4)

Domestic U.S. Requirements

Equivalent Item on Domestic Flight Plan (FAA Form 7233-1)

Number of Aircraft

Item 9

Included when more than one a/c in flight

Item 3

Type of Aircraft

Item 9

Required

Item 3

Wake Turbulence Category

Item 9

Required

N/A

Aircraft Registration

Item 18 REG/

Include when planning to operate in RVSM airspace

N/A

Mode S Address

Item 18 CODE/

Not required within U.S. controlled airspace

N/A

SELCAL Codes

Item 18 SEL/

Include when SELCAL equipped

N/A

Performance Category

Item 18 PER/

Not required for domestic flights

N/A

e. Instructions for Aircraft-Specific Information.

1. Number of Aircraft (Item 9) when there is more than one aircraft in the flight; indicate the number of aircraft up to 99.

2. Type of Aircraft (Item 9)

(a) Provide the appropriate 2-4 character aircraft type designator listed in FAA Order JO 7360.1, Aircraft Type Designators. FAA Order JO 7360.1 may be located at: Orders & Notices (faa.gov), then enter 7360.1 in the Search box.

(b) When there is no designator for the aircraft type use 'ZZZZ', and provide a description in Item 18 TYP/.

3. Wake Turbulence Category (Item 9)

A Wake Turbulence Category is required for all aircraft types. Provide the appropriate wake turbulence category for the aircraft type as listed in FAA Order 7360.1. The categories include:

(a)  J - SUPER, aircraft types specified as such in FAA Order JO 7360.1, Aircraft Type Designators.

(b) H - HEAVY, to indicate an aircraft type with a maximum certificated take-off mass of 300,000 lbs. or more, with the exception of aircraft types listed in FAA Order JO 7360.1 in the SUPER (J) category.

(c) M - MEDIUM, to indicate an aircraft type with a maximum certificated take-off mass of less than 300,000 lbs. but more than 15,500 lbs.

(d) L - LIGHT, to indicate an aircraft type with a maximum certificated take-off mass of 15,500 lbs. or less.

4. Aircraft Registration (Item 18 REG/)

The aircraft registration must be provided here if different from the Item 7 entry. The registration mark must not include any spaces or hyphens. Additionally, the actual aircraft registration must also be included if Item 7 would have contained a leading numeric and was modified to be prefixed with the appropriate alphabetic character for U.S. ATC acceptance.

EXAMPLE-
U.S. aircraft with registration N789AK
REG/N789AK
Belgian aircraft with registration OO-FAH
REG/OOFAH

5. Mode S Address (Item 18 CODE/)

There is no U.S. requirement to file the aircraft Mode S Code in Item 18.

6. SELCAL code (Item 18 SEL/)

(a) Flights with HF radio and Selective Calling capability should include their 4-letter SELCAL code. Per the U.S. AIP, GEN 3.4, Paragraph 9, Selective Calling System (SELCAL) Facilities Available.

(b) The SELCAL is a communication system that permits the selective calling of individual aircraft over radio-telephone channels from the ground station to properly equipped aircraft, to eliminate the need for the flight crew to constantly monitor the frequency in use.

EXAMPLE-
SEL/CLEF

7. Performance Category (Item 18 PER/)

Include the appropriate single-letter Aircraft Approach Category as defined in the Pilot/Controller Glossary.

EXAMPLE-
PER/A

TBL 4-20
Flight Routing Information

Item

International Flight Plan
(FAA Form 7233-4)

Domestic U.S. Requirements

Equivalent Item on Domestic Flight Plan (FAA Form 7233-1)

Departure Airport

Item 13

Required

Item 2

Departure Time

Item 13

Required

Item 1

Cruise Speed

Item 15

Required

N/A

Requested Altitude

Item 15

Required

Item 3

Route

Item 15

Required

N/A

Delay En Route

Item 15, Item 18 DLE/

Required

N/A

Destination Airport

Item 16

Required

Item 11

Total Estimated Elapsed Time

Item 16

Required

Item

Alternate Airport

Item 16
Item 18 ALTN/ (Destination Alternate).

RALT/ (En route Alternate); TALT/ (Take-off Alternate)

If necessary

No need to file for domestic U.S. flight

N/A

Estimated Elapsed Times

Item 18 EET/

Include when filing flight plan with center other than departure center

N/A

f. Instructions for Flight Routing Items

1. Departure Airport (Item 13, Item 18 DEP/)

(a) Enter the departure airport. The airport should be identified using the four-letter location identifier from FAA Order JO 7350.9, Location Identifiers, or from ICAO Document 7910. FSS and FAA contracted flight plan filing services will allow up to 11 characters in the departure field. This will permit entry of non-ICAO identifier airports, and other fixes such as an intersection, fix/radial/distance, and latitude/longitude coordinates. Other electronic filing services may require a different format.

NOTE-
While user interfaces for flight plan filing are not specified, all flight plan filing services must adhere to the appropriate Interface Control Document upon transmission of the flight plan to the control facility.

(b) When the intended departure airport (Item 13) is outside of domestic U.S. airspace, or if using the paper version of FAA Form 7233-4, or DoD equivalent, if the chosen flight plan filing service does not allow non-ICAO airport identifiers in Item 13 or Item 16, use the following ICAO procedure. Enter four Z's (ZZZZ) in Item 13 and include the non-ICAO airport location identifier, fix, or waypoint location in Item 18 DEP/. A text description following the location identifier is permissible in Item 18 DEP/.

NOTE-
Use of non-ICAO identifiers in Item 13 and Item 16 is only permissible when flight destination is within U.S. airspace. If the destination is outside of the U.S., then both Item 13 and Item 16 must contain either a valid ICAO airport identifier or ZZZZ. Use of non-ICAO departure point is not permitted in Item 13 if destination in Item 16 is outside of U.S.

EXAMPLE-
DEP/MD21
DEP/W29 BAY BRIDGE AIRPORT
DEP/EMI211017
DEP/3925N07722W

2. Departure Time (Item 13)

Indicate the expected departure time using 4 digits, 2 digits for hours and 2 digits for minutes. Time is to be entered as Coordinated Universal Time (UTC).

3. Requested Cruising Speed (Item 15)

(a) Include the requested cruising speed as True Airspeed in knots using an N followed by four digits.

EXAMPLE-
N0450

(b) Indicate the requested cruising speed in Mach using an M followed by three digits.

EXAMPLE-
M081

4. Requested Cruising Altitude or Flight Level (Item 15)

(a) Indicate a Requested Flight Level using the letter F followed by 3 digits.

EXAMPLE-
F350

(b) Indicate a Requested Altitude in hundreds of feet using the letter A followed by 3 digits.

EXAMPLE-
A080

5. Route (Item 15)

Provide the requested route of flight using a combination of published routes, latitude/longitude, and/or fixes in the following formats.

(a) Consecutive fixes, lat/long points, NAVAIDs, and waypoints should be separated by the characters “DCT”, meaning direct.

EXAMPLE-
FLACK DCT IRW DCT IRW12503
4020N07205W DCT MONEY

(b) A published route should be preceded by a fix that is published on the route, indicating where the route will be joined. The published route should be followed by a fix that is published as part of the route, indicating where the route will be exited.

EXAMPLE-
DALL3 EIC V18 MEI LGC4

(c) It is acceptable to specify intended speed and altitude changes along the route by appending an oblique stroke followed by the next speed and altitude. However, note that FAA ATC systems will neither process this information nor display it to ATC personnel. Pilots are expected to maintain the last assigned altitude and request revised altitude clearances from ATC.

EXAMPLE-
DCT APN J177 LEXOR/N0467F380 J177 TAM/N0464F390 J177

6. Delay En Route (Item 15, Item 18 DLE/)

(a) ICAO defines Item 18 DLE/ to provide information about a delay en route. International flights with a delay outside U.S. domestic airspace should indicate the place and duration of the delay in Item 18 DLE/. The delay is expressed by a fix identifier followed by the duration in hours (H) and minutes (M), HHMM.

EXAMPLE-
DLE/EMI0140

(b) U.S. ATC systems will accept but not process information in DLE/. Therefore, for flights in the lower 48 states, it is preferable to include the delay as part of the route (Item 15). Delay in this format is specified by an oblique stroke (/) followed by the letter D, followed by 2 digits for hours (H) of delay, followed by a plus sign (+), followed by 2 digits for minutes (M) of delay: /DHH+MM.

EXAMPLE-
DCT EMI/D01+40 DCT MAPEL/D00+30 V143 DELRO DCT

7. Destination Airport (Item 16, Item 18 DEST/)

(a) Enter the destination airport. The airport should be identified using the four-letter location identifier from FAA Order JO 7350.9, Location Identifiers, or from ICAO Document 7910. FSS and FAA contracted flight plan filing services will allow up to 11 characters in the destination field. This will permit entry of non-ICAO identifier airports, and other fixes such as an intersection, fix/radial/distance, and latitude/longitude coordinates. Other electronic filing services may require a different format.

NOTE-
While user interfaces for flight plan filing are not specified, all flight plan filing services must adhere to the appropriate Interface Control Document upon transmission of the flight plan to the control facility.

(b) When the intended destination (Item 16) is outside of domestic U.S. airspace, or if using the paper version of FAA Form 7233-4, or if the chosen flight plan filing service does not allow non-ICAO airport identifiers in Item 13 or Item 16, use the following ICAO procedure. Enter four Z's (ZZZZ) in Item 13 and include the non-ICAO airport location identifier, fix, or waypoint location in Item 18 DEP/. A text description following the location identifier is permissible in Item 18 DEP/.

EXAMPLE-
DEST/06A MOTON FIELD
DEST/4AK6
DEST/MONTK
DEST /3925N07722W

8. Total Estimated Elapsed Time (Item 16)

All flight plans must include the total estimated elapsed time from departure to destination in hours (H) and minutes (M), format HHMM.

9. Alternate Airport (Item 16, Item 18 ALTN/)

(a) When necessary, specify an alternate airport in Item 16 using the four-letter location identifier from FAA Order 7350.9 or ICAO Document 7910. When the airport does not have a four-letter location identifier, include ZZZZ in Item 16c and file the non-standard identifier in Item 18 ALTN/. 

(b) While the FAA does not require filing of alternate airports in the flight plan provided to ATC, rules for establishing alternate airports must be followed.

(c) Adding an alternate may assist during Search and Rescue by identifying additional areas to search.

(d) Although alternate airport information filed in a flight plan will be accepted by air traffic computer systems, it will not be presented to controllers. If diversion to an alternate airport becomes necessary, pilots are expected to notify ATC and request an amended clearance.

EXAMPLE-
ALTN/W50 2W2

10. Estimated Elapsed Times (EET) at boundaries or reporting points (Item 18 EET/)

EETs are required for international or oceanic flights when crossing a Flight Information Region (FIR) boundary. The EET will include the ICAO four-letter location identifier for the FIR followed by the elapsed time to the FIR boundary (e.g., KZNY0245 indicates 2 hours, 45 minutes from departure until the New York FIR boundary).

EXAMPLE-
EET/MMFR0011 MMTY0039 KZAB0105

11. Remarks (Item 18 RMK/)

Enter only those remarks pertinent to ATC or to the clarification of other flight plan information. Items of a personal nature are not accepted.

NOTE-
1. DVRSN” should be placed in Item 11 only if the pilot/company is requesting priority handling to their original destination from ATC as a result of a diversion as defined in the Pilot/Controller Glossary.

2. Do not assume that remarks will be automatically transmitted to every controller. Specific ATC or en route requests should be made directly to the appropriate controller.

g. Flight Specific Supplemental Information (Item 19)

1. Item 19 data must be included when completing FAA Form 7233-4. This information will be retained by the facility/organization that transmits the flight plan to Air Traffic Control (ATC), for Search and Rescue purposes, but it will not be transmitted to ATC as part of the flight plan.

2. Do not include Supplemental Information as part of Item 18. The information in Item 19 is retained with the flight plan filing service for retrieval only if necessary.

NOTE-
Supplemental Information within Item 19 will be transmitted as a separate message to the destination FSS for VFR flight plans filed with a FSS or FAA contracted flight plan filing service. This will reduce the time necessary to conduct SAR actions should the flight become overdue, as this information will be readily available to the destination Flight Service Station.

3. Minimum required Item 19 entries for a domestic flight are Endurance, Persons on Board, Pilot Name and Contact Information, and Color of Aircraft. Additional entries may be required by foreign air traffic services, or at pilot discretion.

(a) After E/ Enter fuel endurance time in hours and minutes.

(b) After P/ Enter total number of persons on board using up to 30 alphanumeric characters. Enter TBN (to be notified) if the total number of persons is not known at the time of filing.

EXAMPLE-
P/005
P/TBN
P/ON FILE CAPEAIR OPERATIONS

(c) R/ (Radio) Cross out items not carried

(d) S/ (Survival Equipment) Cross out items not carried.

(e) J/ (Jackets) Cross out items not carried.

(f) D/ (Life Raft/Dinghies) Enter number carried and total capacity. Indicate if covered and color.

(g) A/ (Aircraft Color and Markings) Enter aircraft color(s).

EXAMPLE-
White Yellow Blue

4. N/ (Remarks. Not for ATC) select N if no remarks. Enter comments concerning survival equipment and information concerning personal GPS locating service, if utilized. Enter name and contact information for responsible party to verify VFR arrival/closure, if desired. Ensure party will be available for contact at ETA. (for example; FBO is open at ETA)

5. C/ (Pilot) Enter name and contact information, including telephone number, of pilot-in-command. Ensure contact information will be valid at ETA in case SAR is necessary.

FIG 4-1
FAA Form 7233-4, Pre-Flight Pilot Checklist and International Flight Plan

A graphic depicting a Blank FAA FORM 7233−4, Pre−Flight Pilot Checklist.

A graphic depicting a Sample FAA FORM 7233−4, INTERNATIONAL FLIGHT PLAN.

NOTE-
Current FAA Form 7233-4 available at
https://www.faa.gov/forms/.

 

Appendix 5. FAA Form 7233-1 - Flight Plan

Throughout this document where references are made to FAA Form 7233-1, Flight Plan, and FAA Form 7233-4, International Flight Plan, DoD use of the equivalent DoD Forms 175 and 1801 respectively, are implied and acceptable. Within U.S. controlled air space, FAA Form 7233-1, Flight Plan, may be used by filers of DoD/military flight plans and civilian stereo route flight plans. Use of the international format flight plan format is mandatory for:

a. Any flight plan filed through a FSS or FAA contracted flight plan filing service; with the exception of Department of Defense flight plans and civilian stereo route flight plans, which can still be filed using the format prescribed in FAA Form 7233-1.

NOTE-
DoD Form DD-175 and FAA Form 7233-1 are considered to follow the same format.

b. Any flight that will depart U.S. domestic airspace. For DoD flight plan purposes, offshore Warning Areas may use FAA Form 7233-1 or military equivalent.

c. Any flight requesting routing that requires Performance Based Navigation.

d. Any flight requesting services that require filing of capabilities only supported in the international flight plan format.

NOTE-
The order of flight plan elements in FAA Form 7233-1 is equivalent to the DD-175.

e. Explanation of IFR/VFR Flight Plan Items.

(1) Block 1. Check the type of flight plan.

(2) Block 2. Enter your complete aircraft identification.

(3) Block 3. Enter the aircraft type.

(4) Block 4. Enter the true airspeed (TAS).

(5) Block 5. Enter the departure airport identifier.

(6) Block 6. Enter the proposed departure time in Zulu (Z). If airborne, specify the actual or proposed departure time as appropriate.

(7) Block 7. Enter the appropriate altitude.

(8) Block 8. Define the route of flight by using NAVAID identifier codes and airways.

(9) Block 9. Enter the destination airport identifier code.

(10) Block 10. Enter the estimated time en route in hours and minutes.

(11) Block 11. Enter remarks, if necessary.

(12) Block 12. Specify the fuel on board in hours and minutes.

(13) Block 13. Specify an alternate airport if desired.

(14) Block 14. Enter name and contact information for pilot in command.

NOTE-
This information is essential in the event of search and rescue operations.

(15) Block 15. Enter total number of persons on board (POB) including crew.

(16) Block 16. Enter the aircraft color.

FIG 5-1
FAA Form 7233-1 - Flight Plan
For Military/DoD, Civilian Stereo Route Flight Plan Use Only

A graphic depicting a Blank FAA Form 7233−1 − Flight Plan.

NOTE-
Current FAA Form 7233-1 available at
https://www.faa.gov/forms/.